The region’s irrigation network is set to be enhanced as Goulburn-Murray Water (GMW) prepares for its annual winter works program.
The $7 million maintenance and capital works program takes place each year during the irrigation shutdown from May 15 to August 14.
Over the next three months, more than 100 staff will put in thousands of hours maintaining and desilting channels; remodelling channel banks; repairing and refurbishing structures such as bridge crossings, drainage culverts and flow regulators; and treating weeds.
GMW Infrastructure Delivery Services general manager Warren Jose said maintaining the channel delivery network was crucial to ensuring the system provided a reliable supply during the irrigation season.
“To ensure the program’s success, we will need to drain sections of the channel network,” he said.
“We cannot guarantee access to water from the channel network for domestic and stock or irrigation purposes in this period so we have been encouraging our customers to plan for their winter water needs and consider filling their dams and tanks to guarantee a winter water supply.”
Tuesday, May 10 is the last day to submit water orders to ensure delivery.
“When these channels are dewatered, we are able to treat submerged aquatic weeds which affect water flow, promote silting and cause issues with automatic regulators,” Mr Jose said.
“By treating these noxious weeds, it will help to ensure our channels and infrastructure are properly maintained and safe ahead of the next irrigation season while ensuring a more consistent water supply to customers.”
“There will be an increase of traffic on backroads as heavy vehicles and equipment access our channels and properties over the next three months, so the safety of our staff, customers and the local community is a high priority.
“We ask the public to take care around any changes to traffic and road conditions near our work sites during this period.”
The winter works program will be complete by August 14 to allow channels to be recharged and ready for the start of the 2022/23 irrigation season on August 15.
For more information, phone the GMW Customer Experience Team on 1800 013 357.